The incumbent governor of Oyo State and gubernatorial candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Seyi Makinde has been declared the winner of the 18 March election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
Governor Makinde defeated his challengers including Labour Party (LP)’s Akinwale Tayo as well as a serving senator, Teslim Folarin of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
Makinde polled a total of 563,617 votes while his closest rival, Sen. Teslim Folarin scored 251,230. Adebayo Adelabu of the Accord came a distant third polling 38,757.
In his declaration of Makinde as winner, INEC’s Returning Officer in the state, Prof Adebayo Simeon said: “That Makinde Oluseyi Abiodun of the PDP, having satisfied the requirement of the law is hereby declared the winner and is returned elected by the Returning Officer, Prof Adebayo Simeon on this day 19th of March 2023.”
Makinde is the last of the PDP G5 or Integrity Group with an election. Already, Governors Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Samuel Ortom (Benue), who have been in office for eight years each, all lost their senatorial bid while Nyesom Wike (Rivers) who is also completing his second term as Governor didn’t run for any elective post.
With the defeat of three of his comrades, all eyes were on Makinde before the 18 March poll. However, with his declaration as the winner by INEC, Makinde survived the defeat suffered by other G5 members.
